Developmental Pattern, Latent Profiles, and Family Predictors of Chinese Preschoolers’ Sympathy

Research Findings. This study explored the developmental pattern, latent profiles of young children’s sympathy development, and the associated family factors. Altogether 1408 Shanghai parents completed the Children’s Sympathy Assessment Scale-Parents (CSAS-P). The descriptive results indicated an age-related increase in sympathy and a significant gender difference, with girls having higher levels of sympathy than boys. The best-fit latent profile analysis model demonstrated four profiles: the Low (10%), Middle (36%), Upper-Middle (40%), and High Sympathy Level Group (14%). The multivariate logistic regressions results indicated that poor parent–child relationships, inconsistent parenting style, and singleton status would increase the likelihood of belonging to the low-profile group. Practice or Policy. Our results highlight the importance of family factors in the development of children’s sympathy. Further, these findings can inform parents and practitioners of the specific family factors that can influence the development of children’s sympathy.